Q&A: Why do markets rise even when the outlook is bleak? June 9, 2020 | City Talk The global economy is on track for its worst recession in nearly 100 years, yet April was the market’s best monthly performance in three decades and the S&P 500 has just turned positive for 2020. Why? The first quarter of 2020 has been tough for the global economy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. [...]
Clean technologies and climate policy: the global financial crisis and Covid-19 June 3, 2020 | City Talk A lot has changed for clean technologies since the global crisis in 2008. As investors in climate change, this is hugely encouraging. It is striking just how much has changed for clean technologies and climate policy between the financial crisis in 2008 and the one we face today. As climate change investors, this gives us [...]
Covid-19: The golden age of investing comes with a silver lining June 3, 2020 | Sponsored In financial markets, there are no crystal balls, only things we know and things we do not – known knowns, and known unknowns. Both can help us to guide our decisions as investors. When faced with uncertainties or black swan events, investors have typically responded with a rush to precious metals. Gold has historically maintained [...]
Invest in knowledge to make your trades go further June 3, 2020 | Sponsored “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” once quipped US founding father, Benjamin Franklin. While the advice of long-dead polymaths can usually be disregarded in the context of modern investment, this maxim has stood the test of time. The primary reason an investment might fail is a lack of understanding. The democratisation of financial [...]
Funding the Covid-19 recovery: Seize the opportunity to build a better tax system June 2, 2020 The suspension of huge parts of the economy coupled with an unprecedented package of government support measures mean that tax revenues are falling while public spending is surging. A leaked Treasury assessment estimated a £337bn budget deficit this year, nearly seven times the forecast in March’s budget. Analysts expect the debt-to-GDP ratio to be near [...]
Why global cities can still thrive despite Covid-19’s impact June 1, 2020 | City Talk The most connected part of global cities could be of even greater value despite an increase in remote working. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated our digital future with remote working set to become the norm for many people. But although fewer people will be travelling into cities each day to work in the knowledge economy, [...]
Dividend bear markets: the grizzly facts May 29, 2020 | City Talk With companies around the world drastically cutting dividends, we’ve looked at 149 years of data to see what’s happened previously at such times and what investors might expect next. Dividends are expected to be slashed by 25% to 50% across the globe this year compared with 2019. This will be an unwelcome (if not entirely [...]
Inflation post Covid-19: to be or not to be? May 26, 2020 | City Talk We spoke to two experts who argued the case for and against inflation in the near future and what it means for investments. Abdallah Guezour, Head of Emerging Market Debt and Commodities, and Keith Wade, Chief Economist, discuss the outlook for inflation in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. Abdallah argues the case for inflation [...]
Good trading is about decision making May 26, 2020 | Sponsored Trading strategies aren’t really ‘picked’. They manifest and evolve based on skill level, risk tolerance, and market exposure; balancing technical expertise against fundamentals and often, a hunch, or gut feeling. Whether seeking a passive income, wealth preservation, or capital appreciation, your approach will be as unique as your style, budget, and needs. When picking a [...]
Balance sheet erosion and impact on share prices May 26, 2020 | Sponsored As the virus has grown, so balance sheets have shrunk. In this global health crisis, it is not just people who are ill. Against conditions already uncertain with a trade war and Brexit, this crisis has shaken the bones of the stock market, exposing fragile finances at more than a few firms. Some zombies, unable [...]